LivePerson dual lists on Tel Aviv Stock Exchange

TEL AVIV, March 13 (Reuters) - Nasdaq-listed LivePerson Inc , which makes software that allows companies to communicate with Internet users via text-base chat, said its shares have started trading on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange.

“LivePerson joins some 140 high-tech listed companies, which reflects the strong position of the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange in the high-tech and biotech industries,” Ester Levanon, chief executive of the exchange, said on Sunday.

Robert LoCascio, LivePerson’s CEO, said the company has had a strong connection to the Israeli technology community since it acquired hosted software provider HumanClick in 2000.

New York-based LivePerson has more than 300 employees in its Israel office, which is home to the company’s technology and customer support operations.

“We view our listing on TASE as a logical extension of our strong presence in Israel and our connection to its vibrant technology sector,” LoCascio said.

Its shares closed up 0.6 percent at $10.99 on Nasdaq on Friday.

While most companies dual listed on Nasdaq and the Tel Aviv bourse are Israeli, a few such as Michigan-based drugmaker Perrigo Co , began to trade in Tel Aviv after acquiring Israeli companies.